New Federal Budget Increases Funding for Veterans Benefits

Obama 2015 Budget Proposes Increase for Veterans Benefits

President Barack Obama has proposed an increase in funding for federal veterans benefits to help eliminate disability claims backlog and grant veterans better access to health care.

The budget proposal adds $163.9 billion to federal veterans benefits funding, a 6.5% increase from last year. That proposal includes $68.4 billion in discretionary spending, and $95.6 billion for mandatory programs like pensions and disability benefits.

“This budget will allow us to continue the progress we have made in helping Veterans secure their place in the middle class,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “It is a tangible demonstration of the President’s commitment to ensuring Veterans and their families have the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.”

“We remain committed to providing Veterans the opportunity to pursue their education, find meaningful employment and access high-quality health care,” Shinseki added. “From the men and women of ‘the greatest generation’ to the Veterans who have returned from our most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, no one deserves it more.”

The Veterans Administration’s fiscal year begins October 1st, and the VA is positioned to provide care for 6.7 million patients.

Major transformation initiatives in the budget proposal invest $312 million to bring leading-edge technology to the claims backlog, including:

$173 million ($137 million in Information Technology and $36 million in VBA) for the next generation of the electronic claims processing system Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS); and

$139 million for Veterans Claims Intake Program (VCIP) to continue conversion of paper records into electronic images and data in VBMS.

A major strategic goal for the Department is to end homelessness among Veterans in 2015. The budget request targets $1.6 billion for programs to prevent or reduce homelessness, including:

$500 million for Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) to promote housing stability;

$374 million for the HUD-VASH program wherein VA provides case management services for at-risk Veterans and their families and HUD provides permanent housing through its Housing Choice Voucher program; and

$253 million in grant and per diem payments that support temporary housing provided by community-based organizations.

Establishing a Claim for Veteran’s Benefits through the Social Security Administration

To be entitled to service-connected benefits, a veteran must prove that his disability was the result of military service or medical treatment by the VA hospital and was not the result of his own willful misconduct.

Unlike many actual disabilities, disability ratings determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are not permanent. If you think that an initial disability rating given to you by the VA is too low, there are steps you can take to appeal the decision and have it changed. Likewise, there is also a process in place to address the needs of disabled veterans whose disabilities have grown worse over time.

To talk about your veterans’ disability benefits, your current disability rating, or what our lawyers can accomplish for you contact us today for a free consultation. All veterans’ disability and benefits cases are handled on a contingent fee basis. We receive no attorneys’ fees unless we are able to get your rating and your veterans’ disability payments increased.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Social Security Benefits Claim for Disability, Retirement, or Veterans Benefits

Applying for Veterans Benefits can be complex. However, we understand that you need your benefits and we will put our years of experience to work for you to ensure that you have the representation necessary to actively pursue your claim. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm have experience with Veterans Benefits, Social Security Disability, and Social Security Insurance claims. We will be glad to discuss any questions you may have during our free, confidential consultation. Call the experienced attorneys at the Strom Law Firm at (803)252-4800.

Centrally located in Columbia, South Carolina, the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm LLC represent clients in a variety of civil and criminal matters. We handle cases throughout South Carolina including Columbia, Lexington, Florence, Camden, Aiken, Charleston, Orangeburg, Irmo, Gilbert, Red Bank, Blythewood, Gaston, West Columbia, Chapin, Rock Hill, Saluda, Lancaster, Sumter, Spartanburg, Newberry, North Augusta, Batesburg-Leesville, as well as cases in Richland County, Lexington County, Fairfield County, Kershaw County, York County, Newberry County, Calhoun County, and Sumter County.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. J.P. Strom, Jr., PA Strom Law Firm, L.L. C. 803.252.4800 2110 N. Beltline Blvd. Columbia, SC 29204-3999